A Beijing woman filed a complaint Monday with the local administration for industry and commerce because her fake belly became loosened on the subway and she was ridiculed for trying to get a seat by pretending to be pregnant.

The woman surnamed Zhang, from Beijing's Tongzhou district, bought a fake belly made of silica gel for 300 yuan ($48) several days ago, after reading online that wearing it would make people give up their seats on crowded subway trains and buses.

Zhang wore the belly the next day and got on the Batong line to go to work. However, the belt loosened after she squeezed onto the train and the prosthetic fell below her waist, drawing attention and questions from passengers about her intentions.

Zhang felt ashamed and angry. She has been unable to contact the seller.

The Tongzhou Administration of Industry and Commerce was unable to take on her case as Zhang's behavior did not fall within "purchasing commodities or services for living needs" according to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Consumers.

"In addition, the item was purchased in a private deal between Zhang and a stranger with no effective receipt, so we can't handle it," an administration officer told the Global Times Tuesday.

Dozens of online stores on taobao.com, China's most popular online business platform, are selling silica gel bellies for costumes. However, some buyers use it to fool people, and some activities may be punishable by law for fraud.

Baby not on board